Case Presentation: Temporary Veneers

Check out this radical transformation! Today's patient came to us dissatisfied with the color and shape of their anterior teeth. After an exam and consultation, we decided to prepare the teeth to receive cosmetic veneers. For this procedure, only the front and biting surfaces of the teeth are modified to accommodate a thin sheet of esthetic ceramic material.

These before-and-after photos show our patient wearing their temporary veneers. While our lab fabricates the permanent ceramic restorations, these temporaries allow the patient to leave our office with a brand new smile. The final product will be even more natural, symmetrical and translucent- a perfect match to natural teeth! If you would like to know more about veneers, how they are made and if they are right for you, please give our office a call. 

Case Presentation: Anterior Smile Perfection

Another Great veneer case from Dr. Kari Ann Hong! 

This patient came to our office wanting to restore the esthetics and proportions of their smile. The maxillary anterior teeth appeared jagged and uneven due to a combination of grinding and dietary acid wear. The unnatural sharpness in tooth structure lends itself to an older appearing or "worn down" smile. Additionally, old composite (tooth colored) fillings had begun to show contrast against the natural tooth structure. As teeth age, they tend to pick up stains and wear at a rate different from composites. Over decades, these small differences can become very evident, particularly in patients who consume lots of dark liquids (coffee, soda, red wine, etc.).

In recreating this smile, Dr. Kari used a series of eight lithium disilicate veneers. These restorations give the teeth a uniform shape and color, while mimicking the natural opacity of dental enamel. In just two weeks, this smile looks years younger! If have any further questions about veneers and what they can do for your teeth, please give our office a call!

Anterior Veneer Case

Take a look at one of our recent smile transformations! This patient came to our office with concerns about the esthetics of their anterior incisors. Wear to the incisal edges (biting surfaces) had created a "flat and sharp" appearance that takes away from the naturally contoured look teeth typically have. By using zirconia veneers, our office restored dimension and shape to the incisal edges and facial profiles of the lateral and central incisors. This allowed us to give the teeth a more youthful look and create a universally lighter shade. If you would like to know more about this process or other esthetic services we offer, please contact our office!

Video Blog on Teeth Veneers

Greetings, my name is Dr. Kari Ann Hong, and I have a family dentistry practice here in Thousand Oaks, California. Frequently, my patients will ask me if I do cosmetic dentistry. This is an interesting question, because cosmetic dentistry defines every treatment that I provide. In fact, cosmetics are intrinsic to the very nature of dental procedures. My ultimate goal is to provide you with long term dental solutions that are both functional AND beautiful.

The most common procedure associated with the term “cosmetic dentistry” is teeth veneers.  Veneers can be used to change the color, shape, and size of the teeth.  They are an excellent solution for teeth that have been chipped in the past or that have had extensive fillings.  Also, they can be used to fill in gaps or to correct the alignment of teeth.  The process of making a veneer involves lightly removing about 0.3-1.5mm of tooth structure. Then an impression is taken, temporaries are made, and the dental lab takes about two weeks to fabricate the veneer.  

Veneers are made out of either feldspathic porcelain or lithium disilicate.  Both materials are known for their translucency and life like appearance.  Patients are often concerned that their veneers will look fake.  I work very closely with my dental lab to ensure that the final result is both natural and esthetically pleasing.

If you are interested in teeth veneers, please fill out the contact us page at the bottom of this page.